A novel use for coblation in the nose
Reviewed by Sidhartha Nagala

Having recently become a coblation convert for multiple applications in ENT (including tonsillectomy, inferior turbinate reduction and radiofrequency ablation of the tongue base), it was interesting to read about another novel use in the nose. This preliminary report evaluates the use of coblation for the ‘nasal septal body’ (NSB), a term used to describe the thickened mucosa of the anterior nasal septum superior to the inferior turbinate and anterior to the middle turbinate. It is claimed that the NSB can contribute towards nasal resistance due to its location in the internal valve area. The authors operated on eight patients with an abnormally thickened NSB (a mean width of 16.4mm on CT scan). The patients underwent bilateral submucosal coblation of the NSB area. Naturally, one would be worried about a potential septal perforation. However, the authors report no such complication following the procedure. Furthermore, the procedure was apparently well tolerated under local anaesthetic! They report improved nasal obstruction on the visual analogue scale up to one year following surgery in 75% of patients.

Coblation nasal septal swell body reduction for treatment of nasal obstruction: a preliminary report.
Kim SJ, Kim HT, Park YH, et al.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY
2016;273(9):2575-8.